If you have a Jackson County library card and a WiFi connection, a new streaming service can now connect you to a digital warehouse of free movies, TV shows, audio books, e-books and comics. 

Called Hoopla, the service is available either through a desktop computer browser or an app for a tablet or smartphone. The app can be downloaded from either Apple, Google Play or Amazon, and users can set up an account using a library card and an email address. 

"It's amazing," said Carrie Prechtel, library community outreach specialist. "It's all free with your library card." 

The application is not intended to replace Library2Go, a service that has been in place for years that offers e-book and audio book downloads. 

"Hoopla just offers more choices of media," Prechtel said.

E-books and audio books automatically return after 21 days. For music, it's seven days, and for videos, it's three. 

A WiFi connection is necessary to use Hoopla, as it is a streaming service. Smart phones and tablets can temporarily download content so patrons can read, watch or listen to the downloaded content away from WiFi. 

"The difference between (the app and the desktop program) is that on your smart device, you can stream or you can do a temporary download," said patron technical support specialist Eric Molinksy. "On your desktop, you can only stream." 

For more information, visit www.jcls.org. 

Reach reporter Ryan Pfeil at 541-776-4468 or rpfeil@mailtribune.com. Follow him at www.twitter.com/ryanpfeil.